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The Global Story

DeepSeek: AI revolution or just hype?

Jan 29, 2025
In this discussion, Chris Miller, a Tufts University historian specializing in semiconductor technology and author of "Chip War," explores the sudden rise of the Chinese AI chatbot DeepSeek. He unpacks its potential to disrupt the tech landscape, especially in relation to American companies like Nvidia, which saw a shocking 17% drop in stock value. Miller delves into the geopolitical implications of this competition, highlighting how DeepSeek's success poses significant challenges to U.S. dominance in AI and semiconductor manufacturing.
24:00

Episode guests

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

  • DeepSeek's rapid rise and low development costs challenge the dominance of established U.S. tech companies like Nvidia, impacting stock valuations.
  • The U.S.-China rivalry in semiconductor technology highlights the strategic importance of chip supremacy amid evolving AI development methodologies.

Deep dives

The Rise of DeepSeek and Its Impact

DeepSeek, a Chinese company that originated from the hedge fund sector, has gained significant attention for developing an AI assistant with capabilities rivaling existing models. It notably claims to have trained its system at a fraction of the cost compared to American competitors, specifically stating a development cost of around $5 million. However, this figure is likely understated, as the full financial scope of their research and operational expenses remains uncertain. As DeepSeek rises in prominence, its success has raised questions about the valuation of established U.S. tech companies, particularly NVIDIA, contributing to a significant drop in stock prices across the tech sector.

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